A campfire is something special, something to remember when the other memories of camp are fading, a magical coming
together at the end of the day. It is an opportunity to enjoy each other's company,
to make music
and laughter together, and to sit huddled up around the leaping flames which cast a
warm glow over the circle of faces. A campfire keeps away the dark and mysterious
noises of the night from the nearby trees.

Lack of preparation leads to the same old haphazard
medley of the same old teased out songs, stories, and stunts done the same
old way with no program, no planning or thought. This leads to restlessness and
boredom, a convenient and easy way just to use up the time between nightfall and
bed.

Campfires should be special, the culminating point of all the joyous, healthy
activities of a day spent outdoors. So how do we make them special?

The answer lies in PREPARATION.

The Fire: Make sure it will start right away. Appoint a fire-keeper to be
responsible for replenishing wood. Have a good supply of good wood. Make sure
that everyone is seated comfortably, on logs, groundsheet, etc., and make sure
everyone is in the circle. Camp-fire blankets and hats should be worn.

Opening: Open the fire with a ceremony of some sort, or even a poem or
prayer.

Program: Start with the lively songs to warm things up, then bring in the
yells, Patrol stunts, which should have been prepared beforehand.
Don't rely on
dragging out unfortunate individuals at a moments notice. Above all, keep things
brisk, flowing, and varied. A balance of noise and shouting with quiet musical
singing, with a final quietening of the activities towards the ending.

The Yarn: This can be one
of the best items of a campfire program. Many Leaders are afraid of getting
up and telling a yarn, there is no special skill to it, its just a matter of
training and practice. Read up suitable stories beforehand and practice telling
them at home, in the troop, in the mirror!

Ending: As the fire dies down and glows darkly, so should the mood settle
down into a warm glow of peace and quietness and rounding off the day with a
quiet song or two, an evening hymn, a short maven or meditation, then quietly Goodnight!

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Old School Scouting:
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